ˈhog-louse
[f. hog n.1 (in reference to its shape) + louse.]
The woodlouse, Oniscus asellus.
| 1587 L. Mascall Govt. Cattle (1627) 15 A small red worme, round, and full of legges, much like a hogge lowse. 1605 B. Jonson Volpone v. ii, He Will crumpe you, like a hog⁓louse, with the touch. 1743 T. Lord in Phil. Trans. XLII. 522 A few of one Sort, which rolled themselves up like Millepedes, or Hog-lice. 1805 P. Wakefield Dom. Recreat. i. (1806) 19 Hog-lice are used as medicine. |